Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

RE: [RC] Riding - Smith, Dave

Mike:  We've had a fairly dry, but cool late Fall here in the Auburn, CA
so have been able to get out on the trails.  I'm learning that you don't
have to be in a round pen to get some good training in.  Hermano the
Mustang and I have been working on two issues -- first, I'm trying to
get him to get more separation from the horse ahead on narrow trails.  I
want at least one and a half horse lengths separation so that if the
riders ahead have to stop suddenly, we don't pile into the back of the
leading horse. We ride with a bosal -- no bridle and bit so as he gets
too close, I give him slight tugs on the reins to slow him down. As soon
as he does, I give release and loose reins.  I also enlisted help from
my riding partner so that if Hermano gets his head alongside Kiss's
butt, Mark puts is hand out to give extra emphasis on my attempts to
slow Hermano.  If this is not enough, I plan on asking Mark to use a
white handkerchief and wave that with his hand in Hermano's face.  So
far, the handkerchief has not been needed.  The other issue is to
prevent Hermano from trotting off without my input as soon as the horses
ahead begin to trot.  At first, I tugged him back as soon as I saw the
other horses begin their trot.  Then I would give him a clear signal to
trot ahead (Hermano is so light I don't use my feet but simply lean
forward and pick up the reins.)  Now, I am insisting he wait until he is
clearly walking before I signal him to speed up.  First it was one
walking step, then two, three and now four paces.  I am amazed at how
quickly he's picking this up. So, now our three and four hour rides have
also become training sessions.  Once he has these two lessons down, we
will work on other things.  BTW, I recently bought Ed Connell's
"Hackamore Reinsman" in order to further Hermano's training in the old
California Vaquero way.  I highly recommend this book to anyone
interested in developing an incredibly light horse.  -- Dave  

-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael Maul
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 9:42 PM
To: ridecamp
Subject: [RC] Riding

In response to Angie

"Anybody out here train endurance horses...on trails?  I had a 
*wonderful* ride today...62 degrees, 7 now knows how to leave the 
backyard willingly alone and go for a little ride"

It's been on the low 80's here near Galveston, TX and I've been 
riding the beach with my guys.  Resistance conditioning in the 
sand and in the water.

A cold front is coming in and it should be in the upper 50's 
Thursday...

But don't ask about the summers...

Mike

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Replies
[RC] Riding, Michael Maul